Ads for Va. governor’s race target football fans

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) — Virginia football fans are getting a dose of state politics regardless of what team they are cheering for.

For many folks, the Labor Day weekend is one last chance to head out-of-town for the summer. But the long holiday weekend also marks the start of the governor’s race kicking into overdrive as Election Day approaches.

For example, during Saturday’s Alabama-Virginia Tech game, a special campaign ad for Republican nominee Ken Cuccinelli features the UVa. grad telling fans to “enjoy the game. Go Hookies.”

While Cuccinelli focused on the fans of Virginia Tech, Terry McAulliffe took in a tailgate at the University of Virginia while a plane paid for by a PAC supporting the Democrat flew above the stadium reading, “Ken says go BYU.”

“This governor’s race is going to head up and it’s going to be at rapid pace for the next two months,” said CBS 6 political analyst Dr. Bob Holsworth.

Holsworth said things will only get more intense during the campaign. And while McAulliffe leads in money and in a recent Quinnipiac Poll by six percent, Holsworth expects the polls to tighten.

However, he also stressed that governor Bob McDonnnell is a wildcard in the race. If the investigation he is under leads to an indictment, Holsworth said that would change everything.

“You have to remember this race is taking place in the context of gift gate scandal that engulfing governor Bob McDonnell and the Republican Party to some extent,” Holsworth said.

The campaigns said voters should expect to see some national political figures coming to the Commonwealth to stump for the candidates.

The next debate between Cuccinelli and McAuliffe is scheduled for Sept. 25.